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Dole Packaged Foods’ Role Expands for Austin Marathon Race Weekend

Dole Packaged Foods returns as presenting sponsor of Manzano Mile for third year in a row

The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon presented by Under Armour welcomes the return of Dole Packaged Foods as presenting sponsor. The Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods will take place on Saturday, February 15th, during Austin Marathon weekend. Dole’s involvement includes a $2600 prize purse for the Manzano Mile elite field, Dole products provided to finishers all weekend, and interactive race day activations. The 29th annual Austin Marathon, owned and produced by High Five Events, will take place on February 16, 2020.

“We’re excited to join forces with H-E-B and Marathon Kids for the Manzano Mile presented by Dole Packaged Foods and contribute to the energy of race weekend,” said Matt Ingram, Director of Sales for Dole Packaged Foods. “The Manzano Mile has it all, from elites giving their all to families finishing their mile together, and we’re happy to cheer them on and provide healthy and nutritious Dole products as they run towards a happy and healthier lifestyle.”

The mile-long event is named after Leo Manzano, Olympic silver medalist and Austin Marathon race ambassador. H-E-B, Austin Marathon’s favorite grocery store, will also join in on the Manzano Mile fun. H-E-B is a Manzano Mile sponsor and will partner with Dole to elevate the event’s profile and promote how healthy eating is part of a healthy lifestyle. Dole products are available at your local H-E-B. Manzano Mile will benefit Marathon Kids. The prize purse will total $2600 and pay the top three male and female finishers in the Open Division and the top male and female finishers in the Masters (40 – 49) and Grand Masters (50+) Division.

Manzano Mile – Feb. 15, 2020

Manzano Mile will begin at 11:00 a.m. and take place entirely on Riverside Drive next to the Health and Fitness Expo at Palmer Events Center. Participants will receive a bib and a Manzano Mile race shirt. Packet pick up takes place on-site and begins Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Registration is $30 for the timed mile, $20 for the untimed mile, and $15 for children. Participants can register for the Manzano Mile on the Austin Marathon website. Age group awards will be given to the following male and female categories: 19 and under, 20 – 29, 30 – 39, Masters (40 – 49), Grand Masters (50+). Waves will run approximately every 15 minutes. The Manzano Mile will include the Future Milers of America Kids Run. There’s also an untimed mile that’s perfect for the entire family.

“I’m thrilled that Dole Packaged Foods will return as presenting sponsor and know their involvement brings a special element to all of Austin Marathon weekend,” said Leo Manzano, 2012 Olympic silver medalist in the 1500m. “I’m proud to associate a great brand like Dole with the Manzano Mile and can’t wait for Saturday, February 15th.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 29th year running in the capital of Texas in 2020. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ countries around the world. The start and finish locations are just a few blocks apart. They are within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants. The finish line is in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol. Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Registration is currently open.

Experience an Olympian’s First Sub-Four-Minute Mile

Run stride-for-stride with an Olympian as he runs his first sub-four-minute mile

Leo Manzano won the silver medal in the 1500m at the 2012 Olympics, running 3:34.79 in London. He was the first U.S. athlete to medal in the 1500m since Jim Ryun won silver at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Since 2017, Manzano, two-time Olympian and Austinite, has been the race ambassador of the Austin Marathon. Even though he recently retired, he is a fixture in the Austin community and can often be found running on the trail around Town Lake. His namesake event, Manzano Mile, takes place the day before the Austin Marathon and features athletes of all abilities. Get ready to run stride for stride with Leo “The Lion” as he takes you back to his first sub-four-minute mile!

Leo Manzano, Austin Marathon Race Ambassador, poses with his Olympic silver medal. Manzano takes you back to his first sub-four-minute mile in this blog post.

Leo Manzano, Austin Marathon Race Ambassador, poses with his Olympic silver medal.

by: Leo Manzano, Olympic silver medalist and Austin Marathon Race Ambassador

Many have compared running a sub-four-minute mile to climbing Mt. Everest. Your heart and lungs feel as if they are going to explode, all while you push your limits to see how far you can go. Before anyone ran a sub-four-minute mile it was presumed that if anyone did their heart would explode, causing instant death. In 1954, Sir Roger Banister proved that theory wrong when he ran a sub-four-minute mile in three minutes 59.4 seconds. 

A mile is exactly 1.609344 kilometers, or 5,280 feet. To run an actual mile on the track, you have to back up 9.344 meters from the finish line. Many people run the 1600m and call it a mile, but this is not the true mile. The true mile is 1,609.344 meters. To run a sub-four-minute mile you have to run at an average speed of 15 miles an hour per lap, or less than 60 seconds per 400 meters. 

Running a sub-four-minute mile

Running a sub-four-minute mile is easier said than done. The first lap is always easy. You get into the rhythm of the pace, the legs usually feel good, and all you focus on is hitting the pace of 59 or 60 seconds. The start of the second lap and you still seem to be in it. So you press just a little bit to make sure you’re on pace. You know the third lap is coming and you start feeling fatigued. You’re not even halfway done yet you might hit 1:59 at the end of this second lap. You’re still on pace.

The hardest lap

Things start to happen on the third lap of the mile. Your legs start feeling heavy and a burning sensation creeps in. Now you know you’re really starting to work. Pain sets in and intensifies with every step you take. The third lap is always the hardest as though stricken with a mental block of heavy bricks in your legs. You hit the 1209.344-meter mark and know you only have 400 meters left. As soon as you realize that, something in your mind clicks, “I’m almost done, only 400 meters to go! Let’s go!” Although you still have that burning sensation, your knees start to lift. Perhaps it’s from all the hard work you’ve put in and the willingness to push yourself as you see the clock hit 2:58, 2:59. 400m to go! 300m to go! As every hundred meters goes by you’re still fighting, but you don’t even think about the pain. The only thought in your mind is running a sub-four-minute mile.

The kick

As you pass the last 200-meter mark, the clock hits three minutes 29 seconds. You keep telling yourself, “Push! Push! All I have to do is run 30 seconds the last 200m”. It seems like you can’t go any faster. You’ve already maxed out. Your lungs are burning, legs are on fire. Maybe even a blood vessel in your head feels like it might burst. But you push! 100m to go, 50m to go, 30m to go – DONE!!!! 3:59.86. This was my experience running my first sub-four-minute mile. And now it is yours.

The mile, like the marathon, has always been a prestigious race, the perfect race, a true sport. There are no time outs, no halftimes, no substitutions, the clock never lies. The mile tests our wills, our strengths, our weaknesses, and our inner selves to see how much we really want it. The best of all? It doesn’t matter if you are a sub-four-minute miler. It doesn’t matter who is watching, what they think. In the end, all that matters is that you’re competing against yourself, even if you’re competing against others. The mile is like life, sometimes you win, sometimes lose. The mile hurts, you have to fight for position, you may fall, you may crawl, it’s painful. Just remember that no matter what happens, you’ll be more proud of yourself once you’re done than if you’d never started at all.

Manzano Mile Returns to 2019 Austin Marathon Race Weekend

 Manzano Mile celebrates milers of all speeds and abilities, from elites to children

The Manzano Mile presented by DOLE® will take place on Saturday, February 16th, during Austin Marathon weekend. Dole Packaged Foods’ return marks the second year of the $6,000 prize purse, continued race-day support, and increased involvement with the popular mile-long race.

Registration opens Monday, July 30, 2018. Participants can register for the timed mile for $30. It will cost $10 for the Future Milers of America (9 and under). Current Austin Marathon and half marathon registrants will receive a 50% discount when they add the Manzano Mile during their registration. Participants can register, read Manzano Mile details, and review prize purse breakdown on the Mazano Mile webpage.

“On behalf of Dole Packaged Foods, we are proud to support Leo and his efforts to encourage others to lead a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Matt Ingram, Director of Sales for Dole Packaged Foods. “We look forward to supporting Manzano Mile participants of all ages and abilities on February 16, 2019!”

The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. and take place entirely on Riverside Dr. The course is next to the Health and Fitness Expo at Palmer Events Center. Participants will receive a bib and a Manzano Mile race shirt. Packet pick up will take place on-site and begin Saturday at 9 a.m.

“I’m thrilled that Dole Packaged Foods will continue their support of Manzano Mile and be involved during the popular Austin Marathon weekend,” said Leo Manzano, Austinite and two-time Olympian. “Manzano Mile highlights athletes of all abilities, including elites, up-and-coming runners, families, and the next generation of milers!”

Photo finish

Last year’s male elite field created a buzz with their photo finish. Daniel Herrera (4:11.35) crossed first. Yasunari Kusu (4:11.69) and Dylan Blankenbaker (4:11.84) took second and third. Dana Mecke (4:47.08) finished as the first elite female. Austinites Jennifer Hall (4:51.72) and Mary Beth Hamilton (4:56.67) rounded out the elite female field.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 28th year running in the capital of Texas on February 17, 2019. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 30+ countries around the world. Having start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, being within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, and finishing in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol makes the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can register for the Austin Marathon, Austin Half Marathon, Austin Marathon 5K, Manzano Mile, or the Austin Marathon VIP Experience.

Manzano is a highly decorated track star, four-time USATF National Champion, seven-time Team USA member, two-time Olympian, and silver medalist in the 1500m at the 2012 Olympic Games. He was the first American to medal for USA in the 1500m since 1968. Manzano attended Marble Falls High School where he was a nine-time Texas 4A State champion in track and cross country. Manzano was accepted to The University of Texas and won five NCAA National Championships and was a nine-time All-American.

Austin Marathon Expands Race Weekend with Addition of Manzano Mile

Manzano Mile is named after Leo Manzano, Olympic silver medalist and 2018 Austin Marathon Race Ambassador

manzano mile

2018 Manzano Mile

High Five Events introduces the Manzano Mile, set to take place on Saturday, February 17, during Austin Marathon weekend. The addition of the Manzano Mile adds more excitement to an already packed race weekend that features the Austin Marathon, half marathon, and 5K.

The mile-long event will begin at 11 a.m. and take place entirely on Riverside Dr. next to the Health and Fitness Expo at Palmer Events Center. Participants will receive a bib and a Manzano Mile race shirt. Packet pick up will take place on-site and begin Saturday at 9 a.m. Registration is $25 for the timed mile, $20 for the untimed mile, and $10 for children nine years old and younger. All prices will increase by $5 after Thursday, February 1st. Participants can register for the Manzano Mile on the Austin Marathon website.

The Manzano Mile is a special race and I’m excited to share my love of running with the world through the Austin Marathon,” said Leo Manzano, Austinite and two-time Olympian. “It’s an honor to have this mile race incorporated into race weekend for all to enjoy!

The top three finishers will be awarded based on the following male and female age groups: 19 and under, 20 – 29, 30 – 39, Masters (40 – 49), Grand Masters (50+). Waves will run approximately every 15 minutes. The Manzano Mile will conclude with the Future Milers of America Kids Run and an untimed mile that’s perfect for the entire family to complete together. Official heat times will be announced closer to race day.

“The Manzano Mile embodies Leo’s commitment to the community and we’re thrilled to include it the day before the 2018 Austin Marathon,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “The expansion of race weekend gives the marathon, half marathon, and 5K participants an opportunity to cheer for the milers or complete the Manzano Mile with their family.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas on February 18, 2018. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. Having start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, being within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, and finishing in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol makes the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination. Registration is still available for the marathon, half marathon, and 5K.

The highly decorated track star is a four-time USATF National Champion, seven-time Team USA member, two-time Olympian, and silver medalist in the 1500m at the 2012 Olympic Games, the first medal for USA in the 1500m since 1968. Manzano attended Marble Falls High School where he was a nine-time Texas 4A State champion in track and cross country. Manzano was accepted to The University of Texas and won five NCAA National Championships and was a nine-time All-American.